AOH Spirit of 1916 Awards honors Dennehy and Barry

AOH National Director Dan Dennehy, former St. Barnabas Pastor Monsignor Edward Barry, and the Irish political deportees will be honored by the Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 5 Woodlawn this Sunday, October 16 at the annual Spirit of 1916 Awards ceremony.

The event will take place at the Rambling House, located on Katonah Avenue at East 236th Street in the Woodlawn section of the Bronx, from 3-7 p.m.

“Dan Dennehy has long been a recognized national leader in the fight to get fair immigration laws for the Irish. His election as an AOH national director reflects his leadership within the AOH on immigration, freedom-for-Ireland and as a dedicated organizer,” Martin Galvin, president of Division 5, said.

“Monsignor Edward Barry is the Division 5 Man of the Year. His leadership, guidance and dedication to the AOH, Woodlawn Irish community and all St. Barnabas parishioners deserves recognition not just as chaplain but as the division member who has done the most to make Division 5 a growing Irish force,” Galvin added.

A special award is being presented to the Irish political deportees and their American families.

“Twenty years ago, these former Irish republican prisoners and their American families were targeted for deportation proceedings at Britain's behest. Britain hoped to portray them and the Irish cause as criminal and instead rallied the Irish community behind them until America gave them formal legal status,” Galvin said.

“We want to remember their victory but also remember and renew our campaign for other former Irish political prisoners who are still wrongly denied full legal status [like] Malachy McAllister.

“This year’s honorees will receive Spirit of 1916 Awards as an added honor to them and to honor the ideals and heroic sacrifices of a century ago which led to freedom for 26 of Ireland’s 32 counties.”

In addition to the awards presentations, Division 5 will award grants for the promotion of Irish charities, Gaelic games, Irish dancing and Irish music in the Woodlawn area.

The AOH is the largest Irish-American organization and is committed to Freedom-for-all-Ireland, Immigration reform and the promotion of Irish culture, arts and history. Division 5, located in the heavily Irish area of Woodlawn-Wakefield is the fastest growing division in the Bronx.

Music will provided by Gerard and Susan Corbett. A ticket at $25 includes a free buffet. For tickets or information call 718-324-8726.